Vietnam frozen poultry, pork imports rise 20%-30%

Importers taking advantage of rise in local prices to make a profit; import prices VND10,000 lower than domestic

Imports of frozen meat, particularly poultry and pork, have increased by 20% to 30% in Vietnam as prices on the country's domestic market have increased.

In April, 8,219 metric tons of poultry meat and 456 metric tons of pork were imported, two to three times higher than typical numbers, according to the Ho Chi Minh City Sub-Department of Animal Health.

The price of imported meat has increased alongside domestic meat, but global prices have not, resulting in significant profits for importers. With taxes and other expenses, the global price for frozen chicken wings is VND65,000 (US$3.14) per kilogram. A kilogram of imported chicken wings, however, is being sold for VND90,000 (US$4.35). Similarity, the cost of a kilogram of imported pork is about VND60,000 (US$2.90) including tax and other expenses, while its retail price in the domestic market is VND70,000-80,000 (US$3.38-$3.87) per kilogram. Imported meat is roughly VND10,000 (US$0.48) cheaper than domestic prices.